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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Rory Cassidy

Rangers slammed after claiming to be 'immensely proud' of fan behaviour around Europa League final

Rangers bosses have drawn major criticism after the club stated it was 'immensely proud' of their fans' behaviour before and after the Europa League final while asking major questions of the treatment they received in the stadium.

Around 100,000 are thought to have made their way to Seville to see their club facing off against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Fans traveled thousands of miles to get to the Andalusian city for the showpiece tie, making their way by planes, trains and automobiles.

But the Light Blues faithful experienced issues whilst entering and inside the stadium, having items confiscated and being unable to buy bottles of water as the temperature from the searing Seville sunshine hit 40 degrees.

Some supporters also clashed with German football hooligans while drinking at a bar the day before the match.

Balaclava-clad thugs went on the rampage, throwing flares and attacking fans, with Spanish police saying 200 German fans had brawled with Gers supporters.

And the club has now urged fans to come forward and share their negative experiences so lessons can be learned for the future.

In a statement today, the club said: "Rangers are immensely proud of our supporters for the spirit and character they have shown, following our club in record numbers.

"Although the result did not go our way, we will remember the build up to the match with great fondness.

"However, we have major concerns around the treatment of our supporters at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, including the confiscation of previously approved and agreed items that were confiscated by the police and a lack of appropriate facilities within the stadium including the lack of bottled water or indeed water in the toilets which understandably caused severe distress to many supporters in the stadium.

"Rangers FC are in dialogue with both UEFA and Football Supporters Europe (FSE) regarding the issues encountered by our supporters.

"Supporters wishing to make a complaint to UEFA should be aware that UEFA have no direct grievance procedures for supporters.

"We would recommend that supporters contacts FSE via their away supporter’s survey which can be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BFM7TWD.

"FSE are an independent, non-profit association of fans recognised as a representative body on fan issues by UEFA and are submitting a full report on the experiences of supporters in Seville.

"Additionally, any supporters who have not yet shared their experience with the club and wish to do so, please email slo@rangers.co.uk by Thursday 26th May, of which a summary will be shared with UEFA.

"Thank you for your continued support."

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